Continuing his cultural boycott of Israel, Roger Waters, activist and co-founder of the iconic band Pink Floyd, and other artistes have refused to perform in Israel in a new video.
The video, released by Adalah-NY, The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel, features Waters saying: "How can I perform in Israel when millions of Palestinians cannot attend?"
Kyp Malone, of the American indie band TV on the Radio, echoed Waters, saying: "How can I play in Israel knowing that the government will use my show to whitewash its crimes?"
Citing incidents where Palestinians were prevented from conducting cultural events or when Israel blocked the opening of neutral spaces such as parks, the video features prominent artistes like Tony-nominated stage and television actress Kathleen Chalfant, artiste and writer Molly Crabapple, TV on the Radio singer Tunde Adebimpe, rapper Kool A.D., rock musician Tamar-kali and visual artist Swoon.
In the video, Swoon says: "Cultural boycott is an ethical rights-based tactic with historical precedent."
The video is a part of the larger movement against Israel, which has been occupying Palestine for the last 48 years, reports salon.com.
The larger movement, called Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), has been brought into action by the civil society of Palestine who want to employ nonviolent economic measures to get the rights of Palestinians recognised, return the conquered land and allow Palestininans to return to their homeland, as international law requires them to do.
"A growing movement for the cultural boycott of Israel helps amplify the voices of Palestinian artistes who are struggling under occupation, and will help pressure Israel to respect the rights of Palestinian artists, and of all Palestinians," said Chalfant.
Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio added: "With Israel heightening its repression of the Palestinian people in the last weeks, we hope our speaking out will encourage others to support the boycott by refusing to perform in Israel, and refusing to participate in activities funded by the Israeli government or supported by institutions complicit in Israeli human rights abuses."
The artistes in the video, which compares the critical situation to aartheid, are asking the world to endorse the boycott and raise their voice against the way Palestinians are treated.
